Shopping space route guidance systems, devices and methods

ABSTRACT

System, method, and apparatus for providing route guidance to a customer in a shopping facility space are provided. A system for providing route guidance comprises a communication device configured to communicate with a user interface device, a store map database storing location information for a plurality of items available for purchase in the retail space, and a control circuit coupled to the communication device and the store map database. The control circuit is configured to receive a list of items for purchase from a user associated with the user interface device via the communication device, retrieve location information associated with each item of the list of items for purchase from the store map database, determine a route based on at least one user entered route preference and the location information associated with each item of the list of items for purchase, and provide the route to the user interface device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of each of the following U.S.Provisional applications, each of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety: U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/129,726,filed Mar. 6, 2015, Docket 8842-134158-US (587US01); U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/129,727, filed Mar. 6, 2015, Docket 8842-134268-US(615US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/138,877, filed Mar. 26,2015, Docket 8842-134162-US (610US01); U.S. Provisional Application No.62/138,885, filed Mar. 26, 2015, Docket 8842-134209-US (635US01); U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/152,421, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket8842-134155-US (608US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,465,filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134161-US (603US01); U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/152,440, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134208-US(611US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,630, filed Apr. 24,2015, Docket 8842-134249-US (612US01); U.S. Provisional Application No.62/152,711, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134269-US (626US01); U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/152,610, filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket8842-134574-US (623US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,667,filed Apr. 24, 2015, Docket 8842-134575-US (663US01); U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/157,388, filed May 5, 2015, Docket 8842-134573-US(606US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/165,579, filed May 22,2015, Docket 8842-134576-US (677US01); U.S. Provisional Application No.62/165,416, filed May 22, 2015, Docket 8842-134589-US (624US01); U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/165,586, filed May 22, 2015, Docket8842-134945-US (732US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/171,822,filed Jun. 5, 2015, Docket 8842-134250-US (621US01); U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/175,182, filed Jun. 12, 2015, Docket 8842-135963-US(726US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/182,339, filed Jun. 19,2015, Docket 8842-135961-US (749US01); U.S. Provisional Application No.62/185,478, filed Jun. 26, 2015, Docket 8842-136023-US (742US01); U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/194,131, filed Jul. 17, 2015, Docket8842-135962-US (739US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/194,119,filed Jul. 17, 2015, Docket 8842-136020-US (728US01); U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/194,121, filed Jul. 17, 2015, Docket 8842-136022-US(740US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/194,127, filed Jul. 17,2015, Docket 8842-136024-US (743US01); U.S. Provisional Application No.62/202,744, filed Aug. 7, 2015, Docket 8842-135956-US (764US01); U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/202,747, filed Aug. 7, 2015, Docket8842-136021-US (734US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/205,548,filed Aug. 14, 2015, Docket 8842-135959-US (751US01); U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/205,569, filed Aug. 14, 2015, Docket 8842-136123-US(680US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/205,555, filed Aug. 14,2015, Docket 8842-136124-US (741US01); U.S. Provisional Application No.62/205,539, filed Aug. 14, 2015, Docket 8842-136651-US (919US01); U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/207,858, filed Aug. 20, 2015, Docket8842-136508-US (854US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/214,826,filed Sep. 4, 2015, Docket 8842-136026-US (746US01); U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/214,824, filed Sep. 4, 2015, Docket 8842-136025-US(744US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/292,084, filed Feb. 5,2016, Docket 8842-137833-US (925US01); U.S. Provisional Application No.62/302,547, filed Mar. 2, 2016, Docket 8842-136125-US (748US01); U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/302,567, filed Mar. 2, 2016, Docket8842-138040-US (731US01); U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/302,713,filed Mar. 2, 2016, Docket 8842-137834-US (932US01); and U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/303,021, filed Mar. 3, 2016, Docket8842-137831-US (636US01).

TECHNICAL FIELD

These teachings relate generally to shopping environments and moreparticularly to devices, systems and methods for assisting customersand/or workers in those shopping environments.

BACKGROUND

In a modern retail store environment, there is a need to improve thecustomer experience and/or convenience for the customer. Whethershopping in a large format (big box) store or smaller format(neighborhood) store, customers often require assistance that employeesof the store are not always able to provide. For example, particularlyduring peak hours, there may not be enough employees available to assistcustomers such that customer questions go unanswered. Additionally, dueto high employee turnover rates, available employees may not be fullytrained or have access to information to adequately support customers.Other routine tasks also are difficult to keep up with, particularlyduring peak hours. For example, shopping carts are left abandoned,aisles become messy, inventory is not displayed in the proper locationsor is not even placed on the sales floor, shelf prices may not beproperly set, and theft is hard to discourage. All of these issues canresult in low customer satisfaction or reduced convenience to thecustomer. With increasing competition from non-traditional shoppingmechanisms, such as online shopping provided by e-commerce merchants andalternative store formats, it can be important for “brick and mortar”retailers to focus on improving the overall customer experience and/orconvenience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above needs are at least partially met through provision ofembodiments of systems, devices, and methods designed to provideassistance to customers and/or workers in a shopping facility, such asdescribed in the following detailed description, particularly whenstudied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 comprises a block diagram of a shopping assistance system asconfigured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrations of a motorized transport unit of thesystem of FIG. 1 in a retracted orientation and an extended orientationin accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrations of the motorized transport unit ofFIGS. 2A and 2B detachably coupling to a movable item container, such asa shopping cart, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 comprises a block diagram of a motorized transport unit asconfigured in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings;

FIG. 5 comprises a block diagram of a computer device as configured inaccordance with various embodiments of these teachings;

FIG. 6 comprises a block diagram of a system for providing routeguidance to a customer in accordance with various embodiments of theseteachings;

FIG. 7 comprises a flow diagram of a process for providing routeguidance to a customer in accordance with various embodiments of theseteachings; and

FIG. 8 comprises another flow diagram of a process for providing routeguidance with a motorized unit in accordance with various embodiments ofthese teachings.

Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity andhave not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensionsand/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures maybe exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improveunderstanding of various embodiments of the present teachings. Also,common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in acommercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order tofacilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of thepresent teachings. Certain actions and/or steps may be described ordepicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in theart will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence isnot actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have theordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressionsby persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above exceptwhere different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of describing the general principles ofexemplary embodiments. Reference throughout this specification to “oneembodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,”“in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specificationmay, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, devicesand methods are provided for assistance of persons at a shoppingfacility. Generally, assistance may be provided to customers or shoppersat the facility and/or to workers at the facility. The facility may beany type of shopping facility at a location in which products fordisplay and/or for sale are variously distributed throughout theshopping facility space. The shopping facility may be a retail salesfacility, or any other type of facility in which products are displayedand/or sold. The shopping facility may include one or more of salesfloor areas, checkout locations (i.e., point of sale (POS) locations),customer service areas other than checkout locations (such as serviceareas to handle returns), parking locations, entrance and exit areas,stock room areas, stock receiving areas, hallway areas, common areasshared by merchants, and so on. Generally, a shopping facility includesareas that may be dynamic in terms of the physical structures occupyingthe space or area and objects, items, machinery and/or persons moving inthe area. For example, the sales floor area may include product storageunits, shelves, racks, modules, bins, etc., and other walls, dividers,partitions, etc. that may be configured in different layouts or physicalarrangements. In other example, persons or other movable objects may befreely and independently traveling through the shopping facility space.And in another example, the persons or movable objects move according toknown travel patterns and timing. The facility may be any size of formatfacility, and may include products from one or more merchants. Forexample, a facility may be a single store operated by one merchant ormay be a collection of stores covering multiple merchants such as amall. Generally, the system makes use of automated, robotic mobiledevices, e.g., motorized transport units, that are capable ofself-powered movement through a space of the shopping facility andproviding any number of functions. Movement and operation of suchdevices may be controlled by a central computer system or may beautonomously controlled by the motorized transport units themselves.Various embodiments provide one or more user interfaces to allow varioususers to interact with the system including the automated mobile devicesand/or to directly interact with the automated mobile devices. In someembodiments, the automated mobile devices and the corresponding systemserve to enhance a customer shopping experience in the shoppingfacility, e.g., by assisting shoppers and/or workers at the facility.

In some embodiments, a shopping facility personal assistance systemcomprises: a plurality of motorized transport units located in andconfigured to move through a shopping facility space; a plurality ofuser interface units, each corresponding to a respective motorizedtransport unit during use of the respective motorized transport unit;and a central computer system having a network interface such that thecentral computer system wirelessly communicates with one or both of theplurality of motorized transport units and the plurality of userinterface units, wherein the central computer system is configured tocontrol movement of the plurality of motorized transport units throughthe shopping facility space based at least on inputs from the pluralityof user interface units.

System Overview

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates embodiments of ashopping facility assistance system 100 that can serve to carry out atleast some of the teachings set forth herein. It will be understood thatthe details of this example are intended to serve in an illustrativecapacity and are not necessarily intended to suggest any limitations asregards the present teachings. It is noted that generally, FIGS. 1-5describe the general functionality of several embodiments of a system,and FIGS. 6-8 expand on some functionalities of some embodiments of thesystem and/or embodiments independent of such systems.

In the example of FIG. 1, a shopping assistance system 100 isimplemented in whole or in part at a shopping facility 101. Generally,the system 100 includes one or more motorized transport units (MTUs)102; one or more item containers 104; a central computer system 106having at least one control circuit 108, at least one memory 110 and atleast one network interface 112; at least one user interface unit 114; alocation determination system 116; at least one video camera 118; atleast one motorized transport unit (MTU) dispenser 120; at least onemotorized transport unit (MTU) docking station 122; at least onewireless network 124; at least one database 126; at least one userinterface computer device 128; an item display module 130; and a lockeror an item storage unit 132. It is understood that more or fewer of suchcomponents may be included in different embodiments of the system 100.

These motorized transport units 102 are located in the shopping facility101 and are configured to move throughout the shopping facility space.Further details regarding such motorized transport units 102 appearfurther below. Generally speaking, these motorized transport units 102are configured to either comprise, or to selectively couple to, acorresponding movable item container 104. A simple example of an itemcontainer 104 would be a shopping cart as one typically finds at manyretail facilities, or a rocket cart, a flatbed cart or any other mobilebasket or platform that may be used to gather items for potentialpurchase.

In some embodiments, these motorized transport units 102 wirelesslycommunicate with, and are wholly or largely controlled by, the centralcomputer system 106. In particular, in some embodiments, the centralcomputer system 106 is configured to control movement of the motorizedtransport units 102 through the shopping facility space based on avariety of inputs. For example, the central computer system 106communicates with each motorized transport unit 102 via the wirelessnetwork 124 which may be one or more wireless networks of one or morewireless network types (such as, a wireless local area network, awireless personal area network, a wireless mesh network, a wireless starnetwork, a wireless wide area network, a cellular network, and so on),capable of providing wireless coverage of the desired range of themotorized transport units 102 according to any known wireless protocols,including but not limited to a cellular, Wi-Fi, Zigbee or Bluetoothnetwork.

By one approach the central computer system 106 is a computer baseddevice and includes at least one control circuit 108, at least onememory 110 and at least one wired and/or wireless network interface 112.Such a control circuit 108 can comprise a fixed-purpose hard-wiredplatform or can comprise a partially or wholly programmable platform,such as a microcontroller, an application specification integratedcircuit, a field programmable gate array, and so on. These architecturaloptions are well known and understood in the art and require no furtherdescription here. This control circuit 108 is configured (for example,by using corresponding programming stored in the memory 110 as will bewell understood by those skilled in the art) to carry out one or more ofthe steps, actions, and/or functions described herein.

In this illustrative example the control circuit 108 operably couples toone or more memories 110. The memory 110 may be integral to the controlcircuit 108 or can be physically discrete (in whole or in part) from thecontrol circuit 108 as desired. This memory 110 can also be local withrespect to the control circuit 108 (where, for example, both share acommon circuit board, chassis, power supply, and/or housing) or can bepartially or wholly remote with respect to the control circuit 108(where, for example, the memory 110 is physically located in anotherfacility, metropolitan area, or even country as compared to the controlcircuit 108).

This memory 110 can serve, for example, to non-transitorily store thecomputer instructions that, when executed by the control circuit 108,cause the control circuit 108 to behave as described herein. (As usedherein, this reference to “non-transitorily” will be understood to referto a non-ephemeral state for the stored contents (and hence excludeswhen the stored contents merely constitute signals or waves) rather thanvolatility of the storage media itself and hence includes bothnon-volatile memory (such as read-only memory (ROM) as well as volatilememory (such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM).)

Additionally, at least one database 126 may be accessible by the centralcomputer system 106. Such databases may be integrated into the centralcomputer system 106 or separate from it. Such databases may be at thelocation of the shopping facility 101 or remote from the shoppingfacility 101. Regardless of location, the databases comprise memory tostore and organize certain data for use by the central control system106. In some embodiments, the at least one database 126 may store datapertaining to one or more of: shopping facility mapping data, customerdata, customer shopping data and patterns, inventory data, productpricing data, and so on.

In this illustrative example, the central computer system 106 alsowirelessly communicates with a plurality of user interface units 114.These teachings will accommodate a variety of user interface unitsincluding, but not limited to, mobile and/or handheld electronic devicessuch as so-called smart phones and portable computers such astablet/pad-styled computers. Generally speaking, these user interfaceunits 114 should be able to wirelessly communicate with the centralcomputer system 106 via a wireless network, such as the wireless network124 of the shopping facility 101 (such as a Wi-Fi wireless network).These user interface units 114 generally provide a user interface forinteraction with the system. In some embodiments, a given motorizedtransport unit 102 is paired with, associated with, assigned to orotherwise made to correspond with a given user interface unit 114. Insome embodiments, these user interface units 114 should also be able toreceive verbally-expressed input from a user and forward that content tothe central computer system 106 or a motorized transport unit 102 and/orconvert that verbally-expressed input into a form useful to the centralcomputer system 106 or a motorized transport unit 102.

By one approach at least some of the user interface units 114 belong tocorresponding customers who have come to the shopping facility 101 toshop. By another approach, in lieu of the foregoing or in combinationtherewith, at least some of the user interface units 114 belong to theshopping facility 101 and are loaned to individual customers to employas described herein. In some embodiments, one or more user interfaceunits 114 are attachable to a given movable item container 104 or areintegrated with the movable item container 104. Similarly, in someembodiments, one or more user interface units 114 may be those ofshopping facility workers, belong to the shopping facility 101 and areloaned to the workers, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the user interface units 114 may be general purposecomputer devices that include computer programming code to allow it tointeract with the system 106. For example, such programming may be inthe form of an application installed on the user interface unit 114 orin the form of a browser that displays a user interface provided by thecentral computer system 106 or other remote computer or server (such asa web server). In some embodiments, one or more user interface units 114may be special purpose devices that are programmed to primarily functionas a user interface for the system 100. Depending on the functionalityand use case, user interface units 114 may be operated by customers ofthe shopping facility or may be operated by workers at the shoppingfacility, such as facility employees (associates or colleagues),vendors, suppliers, contractors, etc.

By one approach, the system 100 optionally includes one or more videocameras 118. Captured video imagery from such a video camera 118 can beprovided to the central computer system 106. That information can thenserve, for example, to help the central computer system 106 determine apresent location of one or more of the motorized transport units 102and/or determine issues or concerns regarding automated movement ofthose motorized transport units 102 in the shopping facility space. Asone simple example in these regards, such video information can permitthe central computer system 106, at least in part, to detect an objectin a path of movement of a particular one of the motorized transportunits 102.

By one approach these video cameras 118 comprise existing surveillanceequipment employed at the shopping facility 101 to serve, for example,various security purposes. By another approach these video cameras 118are dedicated to providing video content to the central computer system106 to facilitate the latter's control of the motorized transport units102. If desired, the video cameras 118 can have a selectively movablefield of view and/or zoom capability that the central computer system106 controls as appropriate to help ensure receipt of useful informationat any given moment.

In some embodiments, a location detection system 116 is provided at theshopping facility 101. The location detection system 116 provides inputto the central computer system 106 useful to help determine the locationof one or more of the motorized transport units 102. In someembodiments, the location detection system 116 includes a series oflight sources (e.g., LEDs (light-emitting diodes)) that are mounted inthe ceiling at known positions throughout the space and that each encodedata in the emitted light that identifies the source of the light (andthus, the location of the light). As a given motorized transport unit102 moves through the space, light sensors (or light receivers) at themotorized transport unit 102, on the movable item container 104 and/orat the user interface unit 114 receive the light and can decode thedata. This data is sent back to the central computer system 106 whichcan determine the position of the motorized transport unit 102 by thedata of the light it receives, since it can relate the light data to amapping of the light sources to locations at the facility 101.Generally, such lighting systems are known and commercially available,e.g., the ByteLight system from ByteLight of Boston, Mass. Inembodiments using a ByteLight system, a typical display screen of thetypical smart phone device can be used as a light sensor or lightreceiver to receive and process data encoded into the light from theByteLight light sources.

In other embodiments, the location detection system 116 includes aseries of low energy radio beacons (e.g., Bluetooth low energy beacons)at known positions throughout the space and that each encode data in theemitted radio signal that identifies the beacon (and thus, the locationof the beacon). As a given motorized transport unit 102 moves throughthe space, low energy receivers at the motorized transport unit 102, onthe movable item container 104 and/or at the user interface unit 114receive the radio signal and can decode the data. This data is sent backto the central computer system 106 which can determine the position ofthe motorized transport unit 102 by the location encoded in the radiosignal it receives, since it can relate the location data to a mappingof the low energy radio beacons to locations at the facility 101.Generally, such low energy radio systems are known and commerciallyavailable. In embodiments using a Bluetooth low energy radio system, atypical Bluetooth radio of a typical smart phone device can be used as areceiver to receive and process data encoded into the Bluetooth lowenergy radio signals from the Bluetooth low energy beacons.

In still other embodiments, the location detection system 116 includes aseries of audio beacons at known positions throughout the space and thateach encode data in the emitted audio signal that identifies the beacon(and thus, the location of the beacon). As a given motorized transportunit 102 moves through the space, microphones at the motorized transportunit 102, on the movable item container 104 and/or at the user interfaceunit 114 receive the audio signal and can decode the data. This data issent back to the central computer system 106 which can determine theposition of the motorized transport unit 102 by the location encoded inthe audio signal it receives, since it can relate the location data to amapping of the audio beacons to locations at the facility 101.Generally, such audio beacon systems are known and commerciallyavailable. In embodiments using an audio beacon system, a typicalmicrophone of a typical smart phone device can be used as a receiver toreceive and process data encoded into the audio signals from the audiobeacon.

Also optionally, the central computer system 106 can operably couple toone or more user interface computers 128 (comprising, for example, adisplay and a user input interface such as a keyboard, touch screen,and/or cursor-movement device). Such a user interface computer 128 canpermit, for example, a worker (e.g., an associate, analyst, etc.) at theretail or shopping facility 101 to monitor the operations of the centralcomputer system 106 and/or to attend to any of a variety ofadministrative, configuration or evaluation tasks as may correspond tothe programming and operation of the central computer system 106. Suchuser interface computers 128 may be at or remote from the location ofthe facility 101 and may access one or more the databases 126.

In some embodiments, the system 100 includes at least one motorizedtransport unit (MTU) storage unit or dispenser 120 at various locationsin the shopping facility 101. The dispenser 120 provides for storage ofmotorized transport units 102 that are ready to be assigned to customersand/or workers. In some embodiments, the dispenser 120 takes the form ofa cylinder within which motorized transports units 102 are stacked andreleased through the bottom of the dispenser 120. Further details ofsuch embodiments are provided further below. In some embodiments, thedispenser 120 may be fixed in location or may be mobile and capable oftransporting itself to a given location or utilizing a motorizedtransport unit 102 to transport the dispenser 120, then dispense one ormore motorized transport units 102.

In some embodiments, the system 100 includes at least one motorizedtransport unit (MTU) docking station 122. These docking stations 122provide locations where motorized transport units 102 can travel andconnect to. For example, the motorized transport units 102 may be storedand charged at the docking station 122 for later use, and/or may beserviced at the docking station 122.

In accordance with some embodiments, a given motorized transport unit102 detachably connects to a movable item container 104 and isconfigured to move the movable item container 104 through the shoppingfacility space under control of the central computer system 106 and/orthe user interface unit 114. For example, a motorized transport unit 102can move to a position underneath a movable item container 104 (such asa shopping cart, a rocket cart, a flatbed cart, or any other mobilebasket or platform), align itself with the movable item container 104(e.g., using sensors) and then raise itself to engage an undersurface ofthe movable item container 104 and lift a portion of the movable itemcontainer 104. Once the motorized transport unit is cooperating with themovable item container 104 (e.g., lifting a portion of the movable itemcontainer), the motorized transport unit 102 can continue to movethroughout the facility space 101 taking the movable item container 104with it. In some examples, the motorized transport unit 102 takes theform of the motorized transport unit 202 of FIGS. 2A-3B as it engagesand detachably connects to a given movable item container 104. It isunderstood that in other embodiments, the motorized transport unit 102may not lift a portion of the movable item container 104, but that itremovably latches to, connects to or otherwise attaches to a portion ofthe movable item container 104 such that the movable item container 104can be moved by the motorized transport unit 102. For example, themotorized transport unit 102 can connect to a given movable itemcontainer using a hook, a mating connector, a magnet, and so on.

In addition to detachably coupling to movable item containers 104 (suchas shopping carts), in some embodiments, motorized transport units 102can move to and engage or connect to an item display module 130 and/oran item storage unit or locker 132. For example, an item display module130 may take the form of a mobile display rack or shelving unitconfigured to house and display certain items for sale. It may bedesired to position the display module 130 at various locations withinthe shopping facility 101 at various times. Thus, one or more motorizedtransport units 102 may move (as controlled by the central computersystem 106) underneath the item display module 130, extend upward tolift the module 130 and then move it to the desired location. A storagelocker 132 may be a storage device where items for purchase arecollected and placed therein for a customer and/or worker to laterretrieve. In some embodiments, one or more motorized transport units 102may be used to move the storage locker to a desired location in theshopping facility 101. Similar to how a motorized transport unit engagesa movable item container 104 or item display module 130, one or moremotorized transport units 102 may move (as controlled by the centralcomputer system 106) underneath the storage locker 132, extend upward tolift the locker 132 and then move it to the desired location.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate some embodiments of a motorized transportunit 202, similar to the motorized transport unit 102 shown in thesystem of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the motorized transport unit 202takes the form of a disc-shaped robotic device having motorized wheels(not shown), a lower body portion 204 and an upper body portion 206 thatfits over at least part of the lower body portion 204. It is noted thatin other embodiments, the motorized transport unit may have other shapesand/or configurations, and is not limited to disc-shaped. For example,the motorized transport unit may be cubic, octagonal, triangular, orother shapes, and may be dependent on a movable item container withwhich the motorized transport unit is intended to cooperate. Alsoincluded are guide members 208. In FIG. 2A, the motorized transport unit202 is shown in a retracted position in which the upper body portion 206fits over the lower body portion 204 such that the motorized transportunit 202 is in its lowest profile orientation which is generally thepreferred orientation for movement when it is unattached to a movableitem container 104 for example. In FIG. 2B, the motorized transport unit202 is shown in an extended position in which the upper body portion 206is moved upward relative to the lower body portion 204 such that themotorized transport unit 202 is in its highest profile orientation formovement when it is lifting and attaching to a movable item container104 for example. The mechanism within the motorized transport unit 202is designed to provide sufficient lifting force to lift the weight ofthe upper body portion 206 and other objects to be lifted by themotorized transport unit 202, such as movable item containers 104 anditems placed within the movable item container, item display modules 130and items supported by the item display module, and storage lockers 132and items placed within the storage locker. The guide members 208 areembodied as pegs or shafts that extend horizontally from the both theupper body portion 206 and the lower body portion 204. In someembodiments, these guide members 208 assist docking the motorizedtransport unit 202 to a docking station 122 or a dispenser 120. In someembodiments, the lower body portion 204 and the upper body portion arecapable to moving independently of each other. For example, the upperbody portion 206 may be raised and/or rotated relative to the lower bodyportion 204. That is, one or both of the upper body portion 206 and thelower body portion 204 may move toward/away from the other or rotatedrelative to the other. In some embodiments, in order to raise the upperbody portion 206 relative to the lower body portion 204, the motorizedtransport unit 202 includes an internal lifting system (e.g., includingone or more electric actuators or rotary drives or motors). Numerousexamples of such motorized lifting and rotating systems are known in theart. Accordingly, further elaboration in these regards is not providedhere for the sake of brevity.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate some embodiments of the motorized transportunit 202 detachably engaging a movable item container embodied as ashopping cart 302. In FIG. 3A, the motorized transport unit 202 is inthe orientation of FIG. 2A such that it is retracted and able to move inposition underneath a portion of the shopping cart 302. Once themotorized transport unit 202 is in position (e.g., using sensors), asillustrated in FIG. 3B, the motorized transport unit 202 is moved to theextended position of FIG. 2B such that the front portion 304 of theshopping cart is lifted off of the ground by the motorized transportunit 202, with the wheels 306 at the rear of the shopping cart 302remaining on the ground. In this orientation, the motorized transportunit 202 is able to move the shopping cart 302 throughout the shoppingfacility. It is noted that in these embodiments, the motorized transportunit 202 does not bear the weight of the entire cart 302 since the rearwheels 306 rest on the floor. It is understood that in some embodiments,the motorized transport unit 202 may be configured to detachably engageother types of movable item containers, such as rocket carts, flatbedcarts or other mobile baskets or platforms.

FIG. 4 presents a more detailed example of some embodiments of themotorized transport unit 102 of FIG. 1. In this example, the motorizedtransport unit 102 has a housing 402 that contains (partially or fully)or at least supports and carries a number of components. Thesecomponents include a control unit 404 comprising a control circuit 406that, like the control circuit 108 of the central computer system 106,controls the general operations of the motorized transport unit 102.Accordingly, the control unit 404 also includes a memory 408 coupled tothe control circuit 406 and that stores, for example, operatinginstructions and/or useful data.

The control circuit 406 operably couples to a motorized wheel system410. This motorized wheel system 410 functions as a locomotion system topermit the motorized transport unit 102 to move within theaforementioned retail or shopping facility 101 (thus, the motorizedwheel system 410 may more generically be referred to as a locomotionsystem). Generally speaking, this motorized wheel system 410 willinclude at least one drive wheel (i.e., a wheel that rotates (around ahorizontal axis) under power to thereby cause the motorized transportunit 102 to move through interaction with, for example, the floor of theshopping facility 101). The motorized wheel system 410 can include anynumber of rotating wheels and/or other floor-contacting mechanisms asmay be desired and/or appropriate to the application setting.

The motorized wheel system 410 also includes a steering mechanism ofchoice. One simple example in these regards comprises one or more of theaforementioned wheels that can swivel about a vertical axis to therebycause the moving motorized transport unit 102 to turn as well.

Numerous examples of motorized wheel systems are known in the art.Accordingly, further elaboration in these regards is not provided herefor the sake of brevity save to note that the aforementioned controlcircuit 406 is configured to control the various operating states of themotorized wheel system 410 to thereby control when and how the motorizedwheel system 410 operates.

In this illustrative example, the control circuit 406 also operablycouples to at least one wireless transceiver 412 that operates accordingto any known wireless protocol. This wireless transceiver 412 cancomprise, for example, a Wi-Fi-compatible and/or Bluetooth-compatibletransceiver that can communicate with the aforementioned centralcomputer system 106 via the aforementioned wireless network 124 of theshopping facility 101. So configured the control circuit 406 of themotorized transport unit 102 can provide information to the centralcomputer system 106 and can receive information and/or instructions fromthe central computer system 106. As one simple example in these regards,the control circuit 406 can receive instructions from the centralcomputer system 106 regarding movement of the motorized transport unit102.

These teachings will accommodate using any of a wide variety of wirelesstechnologies as desired and/or as may be appropriate in a givenapplication setting. These teachings will also accommodate employing twoor more different wireless transceivers 412 if desired.

The control circuit 406 also couples to one or more on-board sensors414. These teachings will accommodate a wide variety of sensortechnologies and form factors. By one approach at least one such sensor414 can comprise a light sensor or light receiver. When theaforementioned location detection system 116 comprises a plurality oflight emitters disposed at particular locations within the shoppingfacility 101, such a light sensor can provide information that thecontrol circuit 406 and/or the central computer system 106 employs todetermine a present location and/or orientation of the motorizedtransport unit 102.

As another example, such a sensor 414 can comprise a distancemeasurement unit configured to detect a distance between the motorizedtransport unit 102 and one or more objects or surfaces around themotorized transport unit 102 (such as an object that lies in a projectedpath of movement for the motorized transport unit 102 through theshopping facility 101). These teachings will accommodate any of avariety of distance measurement units including optical units andsound/ultrasound units. In one example, a sensor 414 comprises a laserdistance sensor device capable of determining a distance to objects inproximity to the sensor. In some embodiments, a sensor 414 comprises anoptical based scanning device to sense and read optical patterns inproximity to the sensor, such as bar codes variously located onstructures in the shopping facility 101. In some embodiments, a sensor414 comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader capableof reading RFID tags in proximity to the sensor. Such sensors may beuseful to determine proximity to nearby objects, avoid collisions,orient the motorized transport unit at a proper alignment orientation toengage a movable item container, and so on.

The foregoing examples are intended to be illustrative and are notintended to convey an exhaustive listing of all possible sensors.Instead, it will be understood that these teachings will accommodatesensing any of a wide variety of circumstances or phenomena to supportthe operating functionality of the motorized transport unit 102 in agiven application setting.

By one optional approach an audio input 416 (such as a microphone)and/or an audio output 418 (such as a speaker) can also operably coupleto the control circuit 406. So configured the control circuit 406 canprovide a variety of audible sounds to thereby communicate with a userof the motorized transport unit 102, other persons in the vicinity ofthe motorized transport unit 102, or even other motorized transportunits 102 in the area. These audible sounds can include any of a varietyof tones and other non-verbal sounds. These audible sounds can alsoinclude, in lieu of the foregoing or in combination therewith,pre-recorded or synthesized speech.

The audio input 416, in turn, provides a mechanism whereby, for example,a user provides verbal input to the control circuit 406. That verbalinput can comprise, for example, instructions, inquiries, orinformation. So configured, a user can provide, for example, a questionto the motorized transport unit 102 (such as, “Where are the towels?”).The control circuit 406 can cause that verbalized question to betransmitted to the central computer system 106 via the motorizedtransport unit's wireless transceiver 412. The central computer system106 can process that verbal input to recognize the speech content and tothen determine an appropriate response. That response might comprise,for example, transmitting back to the motorized transport unit 102specific instructions regarding how to move the motorized transport unit102 (via the aforementioned motorized wheel system 410) to the locationin the shopping facility 101 where the towels are displayed.

In this example the motorized transport unit 102 includes a rechargeablepower source 420 such as one or more batteries. The power provided bythe rechargeable power source 420 can be made available to whichevercomponents of the motorized transport unit 102 require electricalenergy. By one approach the motorized transport unit 102 includes a plugor other electrically conductive interface that the control circuit 406can utilize to automatically connect to an external source of electricalenergy to thereby recharge the rechargeable power source 420.

By one approach the motorized transport unit 102 comprises an integralpart of a movable item container 104 such as a grocery cart. As usedherein, this reference to “integral” will be understood to refer to anon-temporary combination and joinder that is sufficiently complete soas to consider the combined elements to be as one. Such a joinder can befacilitated in a number of ways including by securing the motorizedtransport unit housing 402 to the item container using bolts or otherthreaded fasteners as versus, for example, a clip.

These teachings will also accommodate selectively and temporarilyattaching the motorized transport unit 102 to an item container 104. Insuch a case the motorized transport unit 102 can include a movable itemcontainer coupling structure 422. By one approach this movable itemcontainer coupling structure 422 operably couples to a control circuit202 to thereby permit the latter to control, for example, the latchedand unlatched states of the movable item container coupling structure422. So configured, by one approach the control circuit 406 canautomatically and selectively move the motorized transport unit 102 (viathe motorized wheel system 410) towards a particular item containeruntil the movable item container coupling structure 422 can engage theitem container to thereby temporarily physically couple the motorizedtransport unit 102 to the item container. So latched, the motorizedtransport unit 102 can then cause the item container to move with themotorized transport unit 102. In embodiments such as illustrated inFIGS. 2A-3B, the movable item container coupling structure 422 includesa lifting system (e.g., including an electric drive or motor) to cause aportion of the body or housing 402 to engage and lift a portion of theitem container off of the ground such that the motorized transport unit102 can carry a portion of the item container. In other embodiments, themovable transport unit latches to a portion of the movable itemcontainer without lifting a portion thereof off of the ground.

In either case, by combining the motorized transport unit 102 with anitem container, and by controlling movement of the motorized transportunit 102 via the aforementioned central computer system 106, theseteachings will facilitate a wide variety of useful ways to assist bothcustomers and associates in a shopping facility setting. For example,the motorized transport unit 102 can be configured to follow aparticular customer as they shop within the shopping facility 101. Thecustomer can then place items they intend to purchase into the itemcontainer that is associated with the motorized transport unit 102.

In some embodiments, the motorized transport unit 102 includes aninput/output (I/O) device 424 that is coupled to the control circuit406. The I/O device 424 allows an external device to couple to thecontrol unit 404. The function and purpose of connecting devices willdepend on the application. In some examples, devices connecting to theI/O device 424 may add functionality to the control unit 404, allow theexporting of data from the control unit 404, allow the diagnosing of themotorized transport unit 102, and so on.

In some embodiments, the motorized transport unit 102 includes a userinterface 426 including for example, user inputs and/or user outputs ordisplays depending on the intended interaction with the user. Forexample, user inputs could include any input device such as buttons,knobs, switches, touch sensitive surfaces or display screens, and so on.Example user outputs include lights, display screens, and so on. Theuser interface 426 may work together with or separate from any userinterface implemented at a user interface unit 114 (such as a smartphone or tablet device).

The control unit 404 includes a memory 408 coupled to the controlcircuit 406 and that stores, for example, operating instructions and/oruseful data. The control circuit 406 can comprise a fixed-purposehard-wired platform or can comprise a partially or wholly programmableplatform. These architectural options are well known and understood inthe art and require no further description here. This control circuit406 is configured (for example, by using corresponding programmingstored in the memory 408 as will be well understood by those skilled inthe art) to carry out one or more of the steps, actions, and/orfunctions described herein. The memory 408 may be integral to thecontrol circuit 406 or can be physically discrete (in whole or in part)from the control circuit 406 as desired. This memory 408 can also belocal with respect to the control circuit 406 (where, for example, bothshare a common circuit board, chassis, power supply, and/or housing) orcan be partially or wholly remote with respect to the control circuit406. This memory 408 can serve, for example, to non-transitorily storethe computer instructions that, when executed by the control circuit406, cause the control circuit 406 to behave as described herein. (Asused herein, this reference to “non-transitorily” will be understood torefer to a non-ephemeral state for the stored contents (and henceexcludes when the stored contents merely constitute signals or waves)rather than volatility of the storage media itself and hence includesboth non-volatile memory (such as read-only memory (ROM) as well asvolatile memory (such as an erasable programmable read-only memory(EPROM).)

It is noted that not all components illustrated in FIG. 4 are includedin all embodiments of the motorized transport unit 102. That is, somecomponents may be optional depending on the implementation.

FIG. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram that may generallyrepresent any number of various electronic components of the system 100that are computer type devices. The computer device 500 includes acontrol circuit 502, a memory 504, a user interface 506 and aninput/output (I/O) interface 508 providing any type of wired and/orwireless connectivity to the computer device 500, all coupled to acommunication bus 510 to allow data and signaling to pass therebetween.Generally, the control circuit 502 and the memory 504 may be referred toas a control unit. The control circuit 502, the memory 504, the userinterface 506 and the I/O interface 508 may be any of the devicesdescribed herein or as understood in the art. The functionality of thecomputer device 500 will depend on the programming stored in the memory504. The computer device 500 may represent a high level diagram for oneor more of the central computer system 106, the motorized transport unit102, the user interface unit 114, the location detection system 116, theuser interface computer 128, the MTU docking station 122 and the MTUdispenser 120, or any other device or component in the system that isimplemented as a computer device.

Additional Features Overview

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-5, the shopping assistance system 100 mayimplement one or more of several different features depending on theconfiguration of the system and its components. The following provides abrief description of several additional features that could beimplemented by the system. One or more of these features could also beimplemented in other systems separate from embodiments of the system.This is not meant to be an exhaustive description of all features andnot meant to be an exhaustive description of the details any one of thefeatures. Further details with regards to one or more features beyondthis overview may be provided herein.

Tagalong Steering: This feature allows a given motorized transport unit102 to lead or follow a user (e.g., a customer and/or a worker)throughout the shopping facility 101. For example, the central computersystem 106 uses the location detection system 116 to determine thelocation of the motorized transport unit 102. For example, LED smartlights (e.g., the ByteLight system) of the location detection system 116transmit a location number to smart devices which are with the customer(e.g., user interface units 114), and/or on the item container104/motorized transport unit 102. The central computer system 106receives the LED location numbers received by the smart devices throughthe wireless network 124. Using this information, in some embodiments,the central computer system 106 uses a grid placed upon a 2D CAD map and3D point cloud model (e.g., from the databases 126) to direct, track,and plot paths for the other devices. Using the grid, the motorizedtransport unit 102 can drive a movable item container 104 in a straightpath rather than zigzagging around the facility. As the user moves fromone grid to another, the motorized transport unit 102 drives thecontainer 104 from one grid to the other. In some embodiments, as theuser moves towards the motorized transport unit, it stays still untilthe customer moves beyond an adjoining grid.

Detecting Objects: In some embodiments, motorized transport units 102detect objects through several sensors mounted on motorized transportunit 102, through independent cameras (e.g., video cameras 118), throughsensors of a corresponding movable item container 104, and throughcommunications with the central computer system 106. In someembodiments, with semi-autonomous capabilities, the motorized transportunit 102 will attempt to avoid obstacles, and if unable to avoid, itwill notify the central computer system 106 of an exception condition.In some embodiments, using sensors 414 (such as distance measurementunits, e.g., laser or other optical-based distance measurement sensors),the motorized transport unit 102 detects obstacles in its path, and willmove to avoid, or stop until the obstacle is clear.

Visual Remote Steering: This feature enables movement and/or operationof a motorized transport unit 102 to be controlled by a user on-site,off-site, or anywhere in the world. This is due to the architecture ofsome embodiments where the central computer system 106 outputs thecontrol signals to the motorized transport unit 102. These controlssignals could have originated at any device in communication with thecentral computer system 106. For example, the movement signals sent tothe motorized transport unit 102 may be movement instructions determinedby the central computer system 106; commands received at a userinterface unit 114 from a user; and commands received at the centralcomputer system 106 from a remote user not located at the shoppingfacility space.

Determining Location: Similar to that described above, this featureenables the central computer system 106 to determine the location ofdevices in the shopping facility 101. For example, the central computersystem 106 maps received LED light transmissions, Bluetooth low energyradio signals or audio signals (or other received signals encoded withlocation data) to a 2D map of the shopping facility. Objects within thearea of the shopping facility are also mapped and associated with thosetransmissions. Using this information, the central computer system 106can determine the location of devices such as motorized transport units.

Digital Physical Map Integration: In some embodiments, the system 100 iscapable of integrating 2D and 3D maps of the shopping facility withphysical locations of objects and workers. Once the central computersystem 106 maps all objects to specific locations using algorithms,measurements and LED geo-location, for example, grids are applied whichsections off the maps into access ways and blocked sections. Motorizedtransport units 102 use these grids for navigation and recognition. Insome cases, grids are applied to 2D horizontal maps along with 3Dmodels. In some cases, grids start at a higher unit level and then canbe broken down into smaller units of measure by the central computersystem 106 when needed to provide more accuracy.

Calling a Motorized Transport Unit: This feature provides multiplemethods to request and schedule a motorized transport unit 102 forassistance in the shopping facility. In some embodiments, users canrequest use of a motorized transport unit 102 through the user interfaceunit 114. The central computer system 106 can check to see if there isan available motorized transport unit. Once assigned to a given user,other users will not be able to control the already assigned transportunit. Workers, such as store associates, may also reserve multiplemotorized transport units in order to accomplish a coordinated largejob.

Locker Delivery: In some embodiments, one or more motorized transportunits 102 may be used to pick, pack, and deliver items to a particularstorage locker 132. The motorized transport units 102 can couple to andmove the storage locker to a desired location. In some embodiments, oncedelivered, the requestor will be notified that the items are ready to bepicked up, and will be provided the locker location and locker securitycode key.

Route Optimization: In some embodiments, the central computer systemautomatically generates a travel route for one or more motorizedtransport units through the shopping facility space. In someembodiments, this route is based on one or more of a user provided listof items entered by the user via a user interface unit 114; userselected route preferences entered by the user via the user interfaceunit 114; user profile data received from a user information database(e.g., from one of databases 126); and product availability informationfrom a retail inventory database (e.g., from one of databases 126). Insome cases, the route intends to minimize the time it takes to getthrough the facility, and in some cases, may route the shopper to theleast busy checkout area. Frequently, there will be multiple possibleoptimum routes. The route chosen may take the user by things the user ismore likely to purchase (in case they forgot something), and away fromthings they are not likely to buy (to avoid embarrassment). That is,routing a customer through sporting goods, women's lingerie, baby food,or feminine products, who has never purchased such products based onpast customer behavior would be non-productive, and potentiallyembarrassing to the customer. In some cases, a route may be determinedfrom multiple possible routes based on past shopping behavior, e.g., ifthe customer typically buys a cold Diet Coke product, children's shoesor power tools, this information would be used to add weight to the bestalternative routes, and determine the route accordingly.

Store Facing Features: In some embodiments, these features enablefunctions to support workers in performing store functions. For example,the system can assist workers to know what products and items are on theshelves and which ones need attention. For example, using 3D scanningand point cloud measurements, the central computer system can determinewhere products are supposed to be, enabling workers to be alerted tofacing or zoning of issues along with potential inventory issues.

Phone Home: This feature allows users in a shopping facility 101 to beable to contact remote users who are not at the shopping facility 101and include them in the shopping experience. For example, the userinterface unit 114 may allow the user to place a voice call, a videocall, or send a text message. With video call capabilities, a remoteperson can virtually accompany an in-store shopper, visually sharing theshopping experience while seeing and talking with the shopper. One ormore remote shoppers may join the experience.

Returns: In some embodiments, the central computer system 106 can task amotorized transport unit 102 to keep the returns area clear of returnedmerchandise. For example, the transport unit may be instructed to move acart from the returns area to a different department or area. Suchcommands may be initiated from video analytics (the central computersystem analyzing camera footage showing a cart full), from an associatecommand (digital or verbal), or on a schedule, as other priority tasksallow. The motorized transport unit 102 can first bring an empty cart tothe returns area, prior to removing a full one.

Bring a Container: One or more motorized transport units can retrieve amovable item container 104 (such as a shopping cart) to use. Forexample, upon a customer or worker request, the motorized transport unit102 can re-position one or more item containers 104 from one location toanother. In some cases, the system instructs the motorized transportunit where to obtain an empty item container for use. For example, thesystem can recognize an empty and idle item container that has beenabandoned or instruct that one be retrieved from a cart storage area. Insome cases, the call to retrieve an item container may be initiatedthrough a call button placed throughout the facility, or through theinterface of a user interface unit 114.

Respond to Voice Commands: In some cases, control of a given motorizedtransport unit is implemented through the acceptance of voice commands.For example, the user may speak voice commands to the motorizedtransport unit 102 itself and/or to the user interface unit 114. In someembodiments, a voice print is used to authorize to use of a motorizedtransport unit 102 to allow voice commands from single user at a time.

Retrieve Abandoned Item Containers: This feature allows the centralcomputer system to track movement of movable item containers in andaround the area of the shopping facility 101, including both the salefloor areas and the back-room areas. For example, using visualrecognition through store cameras 118 or through user interface units114, the central computer system 106 can identify abandoned andout-of-place movable item containers. In some cases, each movable itemcontainer has a transmitter or smart device which will send a uniqueidentifier to facilitate tracking or other tasks and its position usingLED geo-location identification. Using LED geo-location identificationwith the Determining Location feature through smart devices on eachcart, the central computer system 106 can determine the length of time amovable item container 104 is stationary.

Stocker Assistance: This feature allows the central computer system totrack movement of merchandise flow into and around the back-room areas.For example, using visual recognition and captured images, the centralcomputer system 106 can determine if carts are loaded or not for movingmerchandise between the back room areas and the sale floor areas. Tasksor alerts may be sent to workers to assign tasks.

Self-Docking: Motorized transport units 102 will run low or out of powerwhen used. Before this happens, the motorized transport units 102 needto recharge to stay in service. According to this feature, motorizedtransport units 102 will self-dock and recharge (e.g., at a MTU dockingstation 122) to stay at maximum efficiency, when not in use. When use iscompleted, the motorized transport unit 102 will return to a dockingstation 122. In some cases, if the power is running low during use, areplacement motorized transport unit can be assigned to move intoposition and replace the motorized transport unit with low power. Thetransition from one unit to the next can be seamless to the user.

Item Container Retrieval: With this feature, the central computer system106 can cause multiple motorized transport units 102 to retrieveabandoned item containers from exterior areas such as parking lots. Forexample, multiple motorized transport units are loaded into a movabledispenser, e.g., the motorized transport units are vertically stacked inthe dispenser. The dispenser is moved to the exterior area and thetransport units are dispensed. Based on video analytics, it isdetermined which item containers 104 are abandoned and for how long. Atransport unit will attach to an abandoned cart and return it to astorage bay.

Motorized Transport Unit Dispenser: This feature provides the movabledispenser that contains and moves a group of motorized transport unitsto a given area (e.g., an exterior area such as a parking lot) to bedispensed for use. For example, motorized transport units can be movedto the parking lot to retrieve abandoned item containers 104. In somecases, the interior of the dispenser includes helically wound guiderails that mate with the guide member 208 to allow the motorizedtransport units to be guided to a position to be dispensed.

Specialized Module Retrieval: This feature allows the system 100 totrack movement of merchandise flow into and around the sales floor areasand the back-room areas including special modules that may be needed tomove to the sales floor. For example, using video analytics, the systemcan determine if a modular unit it loaded or empty. Such modular unitsmay house items that are of seasonal or temporary use on the salesfloor. For example, when it is raining, it is useful to move a moduleunit displaying umbrellas from a back room area (or a lesser accessedarea of the sales floor) to a desired area of the sales floor area.

Authentication: This feature uses a voice imprint with an attentioncode/word to authenticate a user to a given motorized transport unit.One motorized transport unit can be swapped for another using thisauthentication. For example, a token is used during the session with theuser. The token is a unique identifier for the session which is droppedonce the session is ended. A logical token may be a session id used bythe application of the user interface unit 114 to establish the sessionid when user logs on and when deciding to do use the system 100. In someembodiments, communications throughout the session are encrypted usingSSL or other methods at transport level.

Further Details of Some Embodiments

In accordance with some embodiments, further details are now providedfor one or more of these and other features.

Various embodiments of systems and methods for providing route guidanceto a customer in a retail space are now described. In a broad sense andin accordance with some embodiments, a system is described that providesroute guidance to a customer in a shopping facility space and comprisesa communication device configured to communicate with a user interfacedevice, a store map database storing location information for aplurality of items available for purchase in the retail space, and acontrol circuit coupled to the communication device and the store mapdatabase. The control circuit is configured to receive a list of itemsfor purchase from a user associated with the user interface device viathe communication device, retrieve location information associated witheach item of the list of items for purchase from the store map database,determine a route based on at least one user entered route preferenceand the location information associated with each item of the list ofitems for purchase, and provide the route to the user interface device.

In some embodiments, a customer may provide a merchant's or othershopping facility's computer system with a shopping list which thesystem will use to optimize a route through the store. In someembodiments, a motorized transport unit (MTU) (such as any of the MTUs102, 202, 402 described herein) and/or a user interface unit (such asany of the user interface units 114) may lead the user and/or givedirections along with a map showing current location and next productlocation. There may be an audible voice similar to a standard GPSnavigation system guiding the customer down the different sections, rowsand/or aisles of the store or shopping facility until the customer reachthe item/product needed. When determining the optimized route, besidesknowing the location of the customer or an MTU when provided with ashopping list, a final destination may also be taken into considerationby the system. For example, some customers prefer to perform checkout onthe grocery side or the gardening section and the route may bedetermined accordingly. By way of further example, the customer'spropensity to use the self-checkout counters or frequent the tobaccoregister may also be considered.

A shopping list may include one or more items. A Customer will be ableto choose whether the MTU acts as an escort or provides a customer withthe most expeditious route verbally or graphically. One of the mostcommon questions customers ask store associates is where to find anitem. The MTU 102 or a user interface device 114 may be configured tounderstand verbal queries and provide directions. For example, acustomer may ask “where can I find shampoos?” and the user interfaceunit 114 will indicate the location of the shampoo section and provide abest path. If a customer says “show me” or “take me,” the MTU 102 mayact as escort and lead or follow the customer to the requested item.

In some embodiments, the MTU 102 and/or the user interface unit 114 maynotify a customer when specific items on the list are out of stock,saving travel to potentially unnecessary destinations. MTU and/or theuser interface unit will provide alternate suggestions such as orderingthe item on-line.

In some embodiments, the shopping list may contain distinct items, suchas those identified by a merchant specific item number, UniversalProduct Code (UPC), Global Trade Identification Number (GTIN) or othermeans, general item identification, or a product category. Voicerecognition and speech synthesis may also be used to input a shoppinglist into the merchant system. The system may also be configured toresolve the closest location that matches the data given.

The list may be sent to the MTU electronically (e.g., from the userinterface device 114 or from the central computer system 106) in orderfor the unit to work autonomously. The MTU may return the collecteditems to the customer service area, for the “pick up today” program, orplaced the item in a locker to be collected by the customer at a latertime. The MTU's route may be optimized to minimize the time required tocomplete his task.

As an example, if the user added “Shampoo” to her shopping list, thesystem may be able to resolve the entry to a category and map thatcategory to the aisle or aisles in which the category of items arecarried. If the user provides more detail, the system may be able toreturn more precise location information back to the user. If the userentered “Pantene Pro-V Shampoo”, the system may be able to resolve thatto a 4 foot (1.22 meter) wide section within an aisle. If the userenters item number 551733244, the system would be able to determine thatthe number corresponds to Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect MiracleRepairing Shampoo, 21.1 fl oz, and provide the selling slot within the4-foot wide section and aisle.

Further, the system may be configured to present the user withrecommended products for generic product categories based on thecustomer's previous purchase history, propensity for trying newproducts, brand or product loyalty, and other factors.

As items are added to the list, the system may update the route throughthe store. In addition, the customer or user may allow the system tomake additional recommendations for products that may be of interest. Ifthe user adds those items or categories to the list, the system willfurther optimize the route to pass by the newly added products. Thesystem may also be configured to notify the customer of any coupons ormarkdowns around user's current location.

In some embodiments, the route guidance system determines a route thatminimizes the time it takes to get through the store. The system mayfurther determine which register is least busy, or which cashier lane isquicker to checkout in choosing the final destination. Upon thecustomer's final approach to the checkout area, the system may analyzethe best register for speedy checkout.

In some embodiments, the system may determine multiple possible optimumroutes. The route chosen may take the customer by things they are morelikely to buy (in case they forgot something), and away from things theyare not likely to buy (to avoid embarrassment). For example, routing acustomer through sporting goods, women's lingerie, baby food, orfeminine products, who has never purchased these products would benon-productive, and potentially embarrassing to the customer. The systemmay be configured to avoid these areas based on past customer behavior.The reverse would also apply. For example, if the customer typicallybuys a cold diet soda, children's shoes, or power tools, thisinformation would be used to add weight to the best alternative routes,and determine the route accordingly.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary route guidancesystem, as configured in accordance with various embodiments of theseteachings. The route guidance system 600 includes a route computer 620,a store map database 610, and a communication device 630 configured tocommunicate with user interface devices 641. The route guidance system600 may include or be implemented at least partially with one or morecomponents shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 or may be more genericallyimplemented in components outside of the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 4 and5.

The route computer 620 includes a control circuit 621 and a memory 622,and may be generally referred to as a processor-based device. In someembodiments, the route guidance system 600 may be implemented to includewith one or more of the central computer system 106, the user interfaceunit 114, and/or the computer device 500 described above. For example,the route computer 620 may be implemented as a software module of thecentral computer system 106. In some embodiments, the route guidancesystem 600 may be a separate standalone system from the system discussedabove and provide route guidance in a system without MTUs such asdescribed herein. The route computer 620 has stored on its memory 622, aset of computer readable instructions that is executable by the controlcircuit 621 to cause the control circuit 621 to provide route guidanceto a customer in a shopping facility space based on a list of itemsprovided by a user interface device 641 and user route references. Insome embodiments, the route computer 620 may be located inside of andserve a specific shopping facility space operated by one or moremerchants. In some embodiments, the route computer 620 may be at leastpartially implemented on a remote or cloud-based server that providesroute guidance to one or more shopping facility spaces. A more detaileddescription of route guidance functionalities of the route computer 620is provided herein with reference to FIGS. 7-8.

The route computer 620 is communicatively coupled to the store mapdatabase 610. The store map database 610 has stored within its memory,location information for a plurality of items available for purchase ina shopping facility space. The store map database 610 may also store ormerchant location information corresponding to departments, productcategories, product types, etc. The in-store location information mayinclude one or more of, a 3-dimensional coordinate, a 2-dimensionalcoordinate, an aisle number, a row number, a display fixture identifier,a display container identifier, shelf height, and the like. In someembodiments, store map database 610 stores a planogram of the shoppingspace. A planogram of a shopping facility space generally refers arepresentation of the layout of the store and the placement of productsand/or services within the store. In some embodiments, the store mapdatabase 610 also stores location information of other store featuressuch as checkout counters, self-service counters, customer servicecounters, exits, in-store bank counters, ATMs, movie rental kiosks,vending machines, recycling kiosks, pharmacy, and the like. The systemwould then add these locations/features into the determined route. Insome embodiments, the store map database 610 further stores retailrelated information such as inventory status of items, in store events,promotions, etc. The store map database 610 may be implemented with thememory 622 of the route computer 620 and/or another memory devicesdescribed in FIG. 1. The store map database 610 may be a local, remote,network accessed, and/or cloud based memory storage device accessible bythe route computer 620. The store map database 610 may be updatedautomatically and/or by a store associate each time there is a change ininventory and/or layout of the shopping facility space.

The route computer 620 is further communicatively coupled to acommunication device 630. The communication device 630 may be one ormore of a network adapter, a radio transceiver, a wireless transceiver,and the like. Generally, the communication device 630 is configured totransmit data between the route computer 6120 and the user interfacedevices 641 via a communication channel such as the Internet, a localarea network, a direct wireless communication, a secure private network,and the like.

Each user interface device 641 may be one or more of a portable userdevice such as the user interface unit 114 in FIG. 1, and/or asmartphone, a tablet computer, a mobile computer, a retailer providedshopper interface unit, and the like. In some embodiments, the userinterface device may be implemented as a motorized transport unit 102and 202 shown in FIGS. 1-3B, or other user devices configured to providephysical and/or visual route guidance to an in-store customer. The userinterface device 641 may have a software or firmware program installedin its memory and/or be configured to access a web-based service tocommunicate with the route computer 620. The user interface device 641may be configured to receive a list of items for purchase from the user,send the list to the route computer 620 via the communication device630, and receive and provide route guidance information to a customer.The list of items for purchase may be selected from a graphicalinterface showing images of one or more departments and products forselection. In some embodiments, a user may add, remove or modify itemson the shopping list using verbal commands. The route guidanceinformation may be provided via one or more of voice, sound, graphics,2-D and 3-D store maps, and text via the user interface device 641. Theuser interface device 641 may also provide interfaces for a user toselect and configure user route preferences. For example, the userinterface device 641 may provide a list of route preferences and anyoption within each preference for the user to configure. In someembodiments, the user interface device is further configured to receiveroute modification entered by the user in response to providing arecommended route.

A user may be associated with one or more user interface devices. Insome embodiments, user preferences and/or list of items for purchase arereceived from a first user interface device 641 and the route guidanceis provided to another user interface device 641. For example, the usermay enter a list of items for purchase and/or user preferences at homeon a personal computer. When the user arrives at the store, routeguidance may be provided to the user on his/her portable user devicesuch that the user can follow the visual route guidance displayed on theportable user device. In another example, a list of items for purchaseand/or user preferences may be entered with a portable user devicehaving a display screen and the route guidance information may beprovided to an MTU which physically guides the user through the store byleading or following the user according to the received route guidanceinformation. In some embodiments, route guidance information may beprovided to one or more of a portable user device and a motorizedtransport unit. An example of a route guidance that is provided via aportable user device and an MTU is described with reference to FIG. 8below.

While the store map database 610, the route computer 620, and thecommunication device 630 are shown as separate elements in FIG. 6, oneof more of these components may be implemented with one or more physicaldevices or systems. The store map database 610, the route computer 620,and the communication device 630 may also be implemented by the samephysical devices implementing one or more of the elements described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 5 above. In some embodiments, at least some ofthe functionalities of the route computer 620 described herein may beprovided by the software program running on the user interface device641.

While only the store map database 610 in shown, the route computer 620may be communicatively coupled to other sources of information used indetermining a route for a user. For example, the system 600 may includea customer profile database. A customer profile may include one or morea customer demographic information, customer purchase history, customerroute history, customer web browsing history, customer mobilityinformation, and user entered preferences. User entered preferences mayinclude preferences such as store areas to avoid, store areas to visit,store event to avoid, store event to visit, preference for the fastestroute, preference for the shortest route, preference for child friendlyroute, preference for mobility friendly route, and the like. In someembodiments, the route computer is communicatively coupled to a locationdetection system 116 and/or a video camera 118 described with referenceto FIG. 1 to determine the location of a customer and/or one or moreMTUs, the current congestion condition in the store, and the speed ofcheckout lanes, etc. For example, an in-store monitoring system maydetermine congestion conditions in each area of the store to allow theroute computer 620 to determine a route that avoids congestion.

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a process for providing route guidance toa customer in accordance with various embodiments of these teachings.The steps shown in FIG. 7 may be performed by one or more of the routecomputer 620 in FIG. 6, the central computer system 106 in FIG. 1, andthe computer device 500 in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, some of thesteps may also be performed by a software program, such as an “APP,”running on a user interface device. Generally, the steps shown in FIG. 7are performed by a control circuit of a processor based device.

In step 710, a list of items for purchase is received at a controlcircuit. The list of items may include item types, item category, and/orspecific items entered by a user. For example, the user may simply enter“shampoo” or enter “Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Miracle RepairingShampoo.” A user may browse through items for purchase on a storewebsite and/or in a store application and select items to purchase. Thewebsite or the store application may include a shopping list buildinggraphical interface showing images of store departments, productcategories, and specific items for the user to select. The shopping listbuilding interface may also provide other functionalities such askeyword search and related item recommendation. The user may also issuevoice commands to the user interface device or an MTU to modify theshopping list either prior to or during the shopping trip. The list ofitems for purchase may be generated and stored on a merchant server ormay be uploaded to a merchant server when the user begins his/hershopping trip. The list of items for purchase may include any goods andservices offered for sale in a shopping facility space. In someembodiments, the user may also select other store features to visit instep 710, for example, the user may select to stop by the pharmacy, thedeli, the vending machine area, the movie rental kiosk, etc. during theshopping trip.

In step 720, the control circuit retrieves location informationassociated with each item on the list of items for purchase from a storemap database. The location information may correspond to a category ofitems and/or a specific item. The location information of each item orcategory may include one or more of, 3-dimensional coordinate,2-dimensional coordinate, aisle number, department identifier, sectionidentifier, display fixture identifier, display container identifier,shelf height, and the like. In some embodiments, the locationinformation is determined based a planogram of the shopping facilityspace. In some embodiments, other characteristics informationcorresponding items may also be stored in the store map database. Forexample, some of the items may be tagged as being bulky, heavy,refrigerated, frozen, heated, low in stock, age restricted, femalespecific, on sale, etc. This characteristics information may be used inthe route determination in step 730.

In some embodiments, between steps 710 and 730, the system may determineif all items on the list of items for purchase are in stock. In theevent that one or more items are not in stock, the locationcorresponding the out of stock item may be omitted in the routedetermined in step 730. In some embodiments, the portable user interfacedevice may provide an indication that the item is out of stock andprovide substitute item recommendations and/or other methods ofpurchasing the item such as purchasing at a nearby store or purchaseonline.

In some embodiments, between step 710 and 730, the control circuit alsoretrieves one or more of customer demographic information, customerpurchase history, customer route history, customer web browsing history,customer mobility information, and a user entered preference from aprofile associated with the user to be used in step 730. In someembodiments, the system also determines the customer's current locationand a suitable end of route location for use in step 730. The end ofroute location may be determined based on one or more of user's parkedcar, user's preferred/selected checkout area, user's preferred/selectedexit, etc.

In step 730, the system determines a route based on at least one userentered route preference and the location information associated witheach item of the list of items for purchase. Generally, the systemdetermines a route that passes by each item in the list of items forpurchase and also conforms to the user's route preference/s. If an itemis available at two or more locations, the system may select a locationthat minimizes the route length and/or best suits the user entered routepreference/s. User entered route preferences may include many differentfactors. For example, a user can select a route type, store areas toavoid or to visit, store events to avoid or to visit, etc. The route mayfurther be configured to include any other store features and userspecific points of interests and/or restrictions. Types of informationthat are considered in determining the route in step 730 may be based onuser specific route preference. Several examples of user routereferences that may be implemented with the disclosed system and methodare described below.

In a first example, the user may select a fastest route preference. Withthis preference selected, a route may be optimized based on visiting alllocations corresponding to each item on the list in the shortest amountof time. The fastest route determination may further take into accountcongested areas based upon real-time video analysis of store condition,historical traffic information corresponding to the time of day, and thelike The system may also help the customer select a check-out lane basedon cashier performance and/or current queue length determined based onvideo analysis. If other preferences are also entered, the fastest routemeeting other preference may be determined.

In a second example, a user may select a shortest route preference. Theshortest route is not always the fastest route depending on store layoutand congestion condition. To determine the shortest route, the systemmay consider the current location of the customer, the location of theitems for purchase, the location of the customer's car, and/or thelocation of the closest exit to the customer's car. The shortest routemay be preferred over the fastest route for customers with mobilitylimitations. If other preferences are also entered, the shortest routemeeting other preference may be determined.

In a third example, the user may select a discount items routepreference. For example, the system may guide the customer throughaisles with most items on sale, the clearance aisles, and areas withspecial discounts. The system may further be configured to guide thecustomers through areas with free samples, food tasting events, productdemonstrations, etc. In some embodiments, in-store events are displayedto the user when route guidance is provided, and the user can select oneor more events to he/she wishes to participate to modify the route.

In a fourth example, the user may select a treasure hunt routepreference. In the treasure hunt mode, the system may suggest generalareas for items on the shopping list and indicate (e.g., via the userinterface device) if the customer is getting warmer or colder dependingon the distance of the customer from specific items for purchase. Thesystem may provide rewards to customers based on the time it took forthe customer to find the items for purchase.

In a fifth example, the user may select a store tour route preference. Astore layout or a list of departments may be displayed on the customer'sportable device for the customer to select one or more areas they wishto visit. The selected area would then be included in the determinedshopping route. As the shopper goes through the selected area, theportable user device may provide highlights and commentary of specificitems and/or sections within the selected area.

In a sixth example, the user may select a long route preference in orderto exercise during their shopping trip. With this preference, the systemwould still route the customer to each item on the list of items forpurchase but would select a more roundabout route. In some embodiments,the system would determine a route such that the customer does not visitthe same sections of the store repeatedly. In some embodiments, the usermay enter a preferred trip length by either time or distance and a routemeeting that length would be determined by the system.

In a seventh example, the user may enter a route preference thatpreserves item condition. If one or more items on the list of items forpurchase are frozen (such as ice cream), heated, or need constantrefrigeration, the route may be configured to pick up those items last.In some embodiments, the system may determine an acceptable time for theitems to be outside of the controlled environment (for example, 15minutes) and configure the route accordingly to avoid prolonged exposureto uncontrolled environment. In some embodiment, the system may keeptrack of the time that a frozen item has been removed from refrigerationand alert the customer if the time exceeds a threshold. The system mayalso be configured to similarly place heavy, bulky, or potentiallyembarrassing items towards the end of the route.

In an eighth example, the user may select to split the route by genderassociated with the items for purchase. For example, products may betagged as being associated with neutral, male, or female gender. Thecustomer may place these three categories in order to configure theroute. In some embodiments, the default configuration under this routepreference is to stop by gender neutral items first, items matching thecustomer's gender second, and items associated with another gender last.For example, a male shopper may not wish to carry feminine hygieneproducts all around the store while he shops. With this option, he maybe guided to pick up those products right before checkout.

In a ninth example, the user may select to split the route by agebracket associated with the items for purchase. Age brackets may bepreset for groups such as babies, children, teens, young adults, age40-55, 55+, etc. Similar to splitting route by gender, the user canconfigure how age brackets are ordered. The user may also adjust theirown age bracket range and be provided a route accordingly.

In the tenth example, the user may select to split the route bydepartment. Departments of a store (deli, produce, hardware, toys, etc.)may be presented on the portable user device for selection. The user mayselect the department by name, by checkboxes, or select an area in thestore map, etc. The system would then determine a route that includesthe selected department(s) even if the shopping list does not include anitem in the selected department. Customer may similarly select otherfeatures of the store this way. For example, the customer can select tovisit the restroom, the customer service counter, an in-store bankcounter, an ATM, a movie rental kiosk, a lottery vending machine, arecycling kiosk, the pharmacy, and the like. The system would then addthese locations/features into the determined route.

In the eleventh example, the user may select a favorite routepreference. The favorite route may be based on the user's past routehistory and/or may be configurable by the user. The system may determinea route that includes all locations for items on the list of items forpurchase that best approximate the user's favorite route.

The examples of user route preferences provided above are forillustration only. Other types of user preferences may also beimplemented with the present system. Additionally, one or morepreferences may be selected at the same time, and the system may baseits route determination on each user configured route preference. Forexample, if the user selects to pass by areas with free samples, selectto preserve food freshness, and select the shortest route reference. Thesystem may determine a shortest route that still includes free sampleareas while reducing the time any frozen item is out of refrigeration.In some embodiments, different types of preferences may be prioritizedby either the user or the system. For example, a user may indicate whichpreference is the most important to him/her. In some embodiments, thesystem may alert the user if conflicting preferences are entered. Theroute references may be configured through a store website, a storeapplication running on a portable user device, an in-store kiosk, andthe like. The user may also be permitted to modify and store configureduser route preferences any time.

The system may also take into consideration other information such asuser shopping history and demographic information. User shopping historymay include types of items and/or departments that the user mostfrequently purchases. The determined route may be configured to guidethe user pass those departments/areas to increase the chance ofadditional purchase. Demographic information of the user may includeuser's age group, gender, ethnicity, family makeup, and the like. Thesystem may determine items that are most likely to be purchased by theuser based on his/her demographic information and determine a route thatguides the user through areas more relevant to his/her demographic. Insome embodiments, the system may also determine areas to avoid based onthe user's demographic information. For example, the system may avoidguiding male shopper through the female intimates section of the store.In some embodiments, the system may also take into account the inventorylevel of items on the items for purchase list. For example, if an itemis low in stock and there is a high likelihood of the item being soldout, the system may route the shopper to that item first, or may providealternative suggestions for that item.

Each of the user preferences and considerations described above may becombined in various ways depending on the system's configuration and/oruser configuration without departing from the spirit of the presentdisclosure. In some embodiments, user preferences may be stored in auser profile that is retrieved each time a route is determined for thatuser. In some embodiments, at least some of the user preferences may beentered just prior or during a shopping trip. In some embodiments, routepreferences may be entered anytime during the shopping trip to modifythe provided route.

In step 740, the route determined in step 730 is provided to a userinterface device. In some embodiments, the user interface device may bean MTU which is configured to lead or guide an in-store shopper based onthe determined route. In some embodiments, the user interface device maybe a user interface unit 114 such as described herein. In someembodiments, the user interface device may be a portable user devicehaving a display screen or a head mounted display. The route guidancecan be provided to the user through one or more of voice, text,graphical, and physical guidance. Real-time turn-by-turn route guidancemay be provided to the user according to a determined current userlocation. The current user location may be determined based on any knownlocating method, such as those described with reference to the locationdetection system 116 above. In some embodiments, the user devicedisplays a store map including aisle, department information, and/or theuser's current location. The store map may be a three-dimensional storemap showing items displayed at different shelf heights. In someembodiments, when a user approaches a shelf having an item for purchase,an image of the shelf indicating the location of the item for purchasewithin the shelf may be displayed to the user to assist the user inlocating the item. In some embodiments, the user interface device mayalert the user through sound or image when the user approaches an itemfor purchase. Promotions such as applicable coupons, nearby markdownitems, related items etc. may also be displayed alongside route guidanceinformation or provided as an audio alert to the user.

In some embodiments, after step 730, the determined route may be updatedand modified constantly. For example, if the user deviates from thedetermined route, the system may determine an updated route based onuser's current location. In some embodiments, the system is configuredto determine which items for purchase have already been picked up, andthe updated route would only take the remaining items intoconsideration. In some embodiments, the user can modify route referencesand/or the list of item for purchase to cause the system to determine anupdated route. For example, during the shopping trip, the customer mayverbally instruct the user interface device to add an item to theshopping item, and a new route including the added item may bedetermined and provided to the user. In some embodiments, the user canselect the route displayed on the portable user device to configure anew route. For example, the user may add or removedepartments/items/events to visit using the displayed map and route.

In some embodiments, the route guidance ends when the system detectsthat the user has visited each location associated with items on thelist of item for purchase and approached an end of route location suchas a checkout counter, the exit, or customer's car in the parking lot.

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary process for providing routeguidance with a motorized transport unit in accordance with variousembodiments of these teachings.

In step 801, the central computer sets up a route guidance program. Thecentral computer may be implemented with one or more of the routecomputer 620, the computer device 500, and the central computer system106 described herein. In step 811, the customer opts into the programthrough a smart device such as the user interface unit 114, the computerdevice 500, and the user interface device 641 described herein. In step812, the user selects routing preferences. Routing preferences mayinclude one or more preferences described with reference to FIGS. 8 and7 above. Routing preferences may also be at least partially retrievedfrom a customer profile. In step 813, the user provides a shopping listincluding one or more items the customer wishes to purchase. In step802, the central computer records user preferences and retrieves priorshopping behavior associated with the user. The prior shopping behaviormay include one or more of a purchase history, online item browsinghistory, and shopping route history stored with a profile of the user.In step 803, the central computer calculates an optimized path based onthe list, preferences, and prior behavior of the user. In step 814, theuser may review the list and make any modifications. In step 804, thecentral computer builds map and route for route guidance. In step 815,the user views route and map on a display screen. In step 805, thecentral computer builds an MTU grid section path based upon thedetermined optimized path. An MTU may refer to any programmablemotorized device or other motorized and/or semi-autonomous robotic typedevice. The MTU grid section path is configured to instruct themotorized device to follow the determined optimized path. In step 816,the system determines whether the motorized device should lead or followthe customer. The lead or follow selection may be previously configuredby the customer or be entered at step 816. If the customer selects tohave the motorized device lead, in step 821, the MTU and movable itemcontainer (e.g., shopping cart) lead the customer according to theoptimized path. Examples of an MTU and item container are described inFIGS. 1, 3A and 3B. While FIG. 8 shows steps 821 and 822 as beingperformed by an MTU & movable item container, in some embodiments, steps821 and 822 may be performed by a motorized device alone without themovable item container. In step 817, if the customer selects to have themotorized unit follow the customer, the customer leads the itemcontainer & transport unit. In step 822, the MTU and item containerfollow the customer. The motorized device may follow the custom based onthe Tagalong Steering function described above. In some embodiments, themotorized device uses information from one or more of the locationdetection system 116 and local sensors to follow the customer.

In step 818, the customer approaches products on their shopping list. Instep 806, the central computer detects that step 818 has occurred andalters the customer. In some embodiments, the central computer wouldcause the display on a portable user device to display a 3D map forindicating a 3-dimensional location of the desired product.

During steps 817, 821, and 822, the user may use a portable user deviceto reconfigure the shopping and/or routing preferences in steps 812 and813. In some embodiments, the user may also switch between lead orfollow at any time. Also during steps, 817, 821, and 822, the system maydetermine that the customer has deviated from the optimized route andalert the customer and/or generate a new optimized route based on theuser's new position.

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein usefulto providing route guidance to a customer in a shopping facility space.In some embodiments, a system for providing route guidance to a customerin a shopping facility space comprises a communication device configuredto communicate with a user interface device, a store map databasestoring location information for a plurality of items available forpurchase in the retail space, and a control circuit coupled to thecommunication device and the store map database. The control circuit isconfigured to receive a list of items for purchase from a userassociated with the user interface device via the communication device,retrieve location information associated with each item of the list ofitems for purchase from the store map database, determine a route basedon at least one user entered route preference and the locationinformation associated with each item of the list of items for purchase,and provide the route to the user interface device.

In some embodiments, a method for providing route guidance to a user ina shopping facility space comprises: receiving, at a control circuit, alist of items for purchase from a user associated with a user interfacedevice via a communication device coupled to the control circuit,retrieving location information associated with each item of the list ofitems for purchase from a map database coupled to the control circuit,determining, by the control circuit, a route based on at least one userentered route preference and the location information associated witheach item of the list of items, and providing, by the control circuit,the route to the user interface device.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for providing route guidance to acustomer in a shopping facility space comprises a non-transitory storagemedium storing a set of computer readable instructions, and a controlcircuit configured to execute the set of computer readable instructionswhich causes to the control circuit to: receive a list of items forpurchase from a user associated with a user interface device via acommunication device coupled to the control circuit; retrieve locationinformation associated with each item of the list of items for purchasefrom a map database coupled to the control circuit; determine a routebased on at least one user entered route preference and the locationinformation associated with each item of the list of items for purchase;and provide the route to the user interface device.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety ofmodifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect tothe above described embodiments without departing from the scope of theinvention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinationsare to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing route guidance to acustomer in a shopping facility space comprising: a communication deviceconfigured to communicate with a user interface device; a store mapdatabase storing location information for a plurality of items availablefor purchase in the shopping facility space; and a control circuitcoupled to the communication device and the store map database andconfigured to: receive a list of items for purchase from a userassociated with the user interface device via the communication device;retrieve location information associated with each item of the list ofitems for purchase from the store map database; determine a route basedon at least one user entered route preference and the locationinformation associated with each item of the list of items for purchase;and provide the route to the user interface device.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the control circuit is further configured to acceptmodification to the route from the user interface device to generate anew route.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the route and thenew route is provided to a motorized transport unit configured to leador follow the customer through the shopping facility space.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the user entered route preference comprisesone or more of: a store area to avoid, a store area to visit, a storeevent to avoid, and a store event to visit.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the user entered route preference is received from the userinterface device via the communication device.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the user entered route preference is retrieved from a customerprofile associated with the customer.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinthe determining of the route is further based on one or more of acustomer shopping history and a customer demographic profile associatedwith the customer.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the determining ofthe route is further based on one or more of detected positions of aplurality of other shoppers in the shopping facility space and estimatedcongestion conditions of paths in the shopping facility space.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the determining of the route is further basedon reducing a time any frozen or refrigerated item on the items forpurchase list is exposed to room temperature.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein the route provided to the user interface device comprises athree-dimensional map.
 11. The system of claim 2, wherein themodification to the route comprises one or more store areas to avoid,one or more store areas to visit, items to add and subtract from thelist of items for purchase, and a new current position.
 12. A method forproviding route guidance to a user in a shopping facility spacecomprising: receiving, at a control circuit, a list of items forpurchase from a user associated with a user interface device via acommunication device coupled to the control circuit; retrieving locationinformation associated with each item of the list of items for purchasefrom a map database coupled to the control circuit; determining, by thecontrol circuit, a route based on at least one user entered routepreference and the location information associated with each item of thelist of items; and providing, by the control circuit, the route to theuser interface device.
 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:accepting, at the control circuit, modification to the route from theuser interface device to generate a new route.
 14. The method of claim12, wherein one of the route and the new route is provided to amotorized transport unit configured to lead or follow the customerthrough the retail space.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the userentered route preference comprises one or more of: a store area toavoid, a store area to visit, a store event to avoid, and a store eventto visit.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the user entered routepreference is received from the user interface device via thecommunication device.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the userentered route preference is retrieved from a user profile associatedwith the customer.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the determiningof the route is further based on one or more of a customer shoppinghistory and a customer demographic profile associated with the customer.19. The system of claim 12, wherein the determining of the route isfurther based on one or more of detected positions of a plurality ofother shoppers in the shopping facility space and estimated congestionconditions of paths in the shopping facility space.
 20. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the determining of the route is further based onreducing a time any frozen or refrigerated item on the items forpurchase list is exposed to room temperature.
 21. The method of claim12, wherein the route provided to the user interface device comprises athree-dimensional map.
 22. The method of claim 13, wherein themodification to the route comprises one or more store areas to avoid,one or more store areas to visit, items to add and subtract from thelist of items for purchase, and a new current position.
 23. An apparatusfor providing route guidance to a customer in a shopping facility spacecomprising: a non-transitory storage medium storing a set of computerreadable instructions; and a control circuit configured to execute theset of computer readable instructions which causes to the controlcircuit to: receive a list of items for purchase from a user associatedwith a user interface device via a communication device coupled to thecontrol circuit; retrieve location information associated with each itemof the list of items for purchase from a map database coupled to thecontrol circuit; determine a route based on at least one user enteredroute preference and the location information associated with each itemof the list of items for purchase; and provide the route to the userinterface device.